Sharing is not for the weak: A systematic review of the main drawbacks of the sharing economy

Abstract

The sharing economy has expanded rapidly, reshaping consumption, labor, and service delivery across sectors. While much research highlights its benefits, critical perspectives on its limitations remain fragmented. This study addresses that gap through a systematic literature review, identifying and categorizing the main drawbacks of the sharing economy across five dimensions: social, legal, technological, economic, and environmental. By synthesizing these critiques into a cohesive framework, the study offers a more comprehensive understanding of the structural challenges associated with sharing economy platforms. It draws on interdisciplinary perspectives to highlight issues such as platform power asymmetries, regulatory gaps, and labor precarity – concerns that have intensified in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper contributes to theory by integrating insights across academic domains and to practice by offering targeted recommendations for policymakers and managers. These include differentiated regulation and improved governance strategies to support fairer, more sustainable platform models.